Trent Alexander-Arnold got a final England chance when Thomas Tuchel recalled him and Cole Palmer to a 27-man squad at the St George’s Park camp on Thursday, while Harry Maguire remained out after the World Cup snub.
Tuchel said he had not spoken to Maguire since the difficult conversation that ruled him out, leaving the defender to rebuild his Three Lions prospects from outside the squad.
For Trent, injuries to Djed Spence, Reece James and Ben White reopened the door, but the England boss made clear that talent alone would no longer carry him.
The Maguire debate in Kampala is whether his World Cup omission should remain settled, with the England boss plainly treating it that way; the sharper question now is whether Trent can answer defensively.
Tuchel said: “It’s a long camp and it’s a good moment to show up.
“But now he has to offer enough defensively, he has to. It’s necessary. My conviction is that he will but he has no choice.”
The Real Madrid man has made five appearances, starting three, in seven club games this season, while Jose Mourinho used him in central midfield during a Champions League win over Inter Milan.
Tuchel was warmer about Palmer and uncapped Alex Scott, who are set for matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic twice.
He said: “Cole has his numbers back, assists and decisive goals. He has a point to prove.
“Alex Scott is a fantastic football player and character, so humble and one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned as cover for captain Harry Kane, while Jarrad Branthwaite was preferred to Levi Colwill and Newcastle duo Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento also returned.
- Squad size: 27 players.
- Recalled: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
- Injured: Djed Spence, Reece James and Ben White.
- Also absent: Noni Madueke, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.
- England fixtures: Spain, Czech Republic twice and Croatia.
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Source: The Sun
